If you're planning a visit to Magic Mountain in Vermont, you'll need to find a place to stay nearby. Fortunately, there are several options available that cater to a range of budgets and preferences. One of the most popular choices is The Lodge at Bromley. Located just a short distance from Magic Mountain, this cozy lodge offers comfortable rooms, an on-site restaurant, and an outdoor pool. It's a great option if you're looking for a place that's convenient to the ski slopes. For a more luxurious experience, consider staying at The Equinox Resort & Spa.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
By loosening the locking knob at the elbow, or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the arm to its maximum length. With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place.
For a more luxurious experience, consider staying at The Equinox Resort & Spa. This historic hotel is located in Manchester Village, and offers elegant rooms, a full-service spa, and several on-site dining options. While it's a bit further from the mountain, it's worth the extra drive if you're looking for a truly indulgent stay.
Wildlife Photography
One of the most versatile pieces of equipment I own is the Bogen Articulated Arm. I use it for holding flashes, sometimes for supporting a camera, and often for holding a prop or securing a hummingbird feeder at one of our Arizona or Costa Rica hummingbird sets. I've used these arms for years, yet I'm surprised, each year, when I showcase the equipment needed for our hummingbird setups how few people know about them.
I was first introduced to these Bogen arms at the start of my photo career over 25 years ago. I had purchased a beefier model that's still available, the Bogen Magic Arm (model 2930) from a local camera store, drove home, opened the box, and found that I was missing the vital piece of equipment necessary to use it -- the Bogen Super Clamp that attaches to the other end! I drove back, bought the second piece, and was in business.
Since then the Bogen Magic Arm has been improved with a similar model, the Bogen Variable Friction Arm (model 2929) that uses a knurled knob that, by rotating, gradually tightens the joints and locks the Arm into place. With the original model, the Magic Arm, a single lever accomplishes this, but the transition from loose to locked is rather abrupt, and without care the angle and position of the Arm may move while locking. This doesn't happen with the Variable Friction Arm, so for my money it's worth the slightly higher expense.
All three models are called 'Arms' because they function quite similarly to our human arm in terms of movement. On one end is a detachable Camera platform with a 1/4 - 20 screw thread. On the other end is a bare stud, onto which one normally mounts the Super Clamp. The end with the camera platform functions like a wrist -- think of the platform as the hand; the other end is the shoulder joint - the super clamp being the shoulder, and the juncture in the middle is the elbow of both arms. Just as your hand and arm can twist and bend in an almost infinite number of directions, so too can all three of these Bogen Arms, which makes placement of flashes or accessories very, very flexible.
One feature of the Articulated Arm I really like is illustrated by the image on the left. By loosening the locking knob at the elbow,
or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the
arm to its maximum length. By default the arm tubes are positioned at their full length. I find this feature extremely useful
when I am fine-tuning a manual flash lighting ratio, where movements of just an inch or two may make a difference in
as much as one f-stop when I'm working close in with hummingbirds -- you all remember the inverse square law, don't you?
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
The Articulated Arm is the least expensive of the three Arms and, as I said, perhaps the one to start with if you're thinking of doing a flash setup for macro or hummingbird photography. Most of our Arizona Hummingbird flash setups use the Articulated Arm, and I also use these for supporting the tube feeder used as bait. Accordingly, each hummer set uses at least 5 Articulated Arms.
If you find that you need the stronger, and heavier, Magic Arm I can assure you that your Articulated Arm won't be neglected. You'll still use it for holding props, or a flash, or a feeder, while the stronger Magic Arms (I'd recommend the Variable Friction model) support your heavy flashes. By the way, I'm talking about heavy flashes here -- studio model types. The Articulated Arm will easily support any hotshoe-style flash -- Canon, Nikon, Vivitar -- that you'd normally use for hummingbird work.
Do I love these things? You bet! For years, and virtually since I started in photography, I've owned about six, and those carried me through the beginning of my wildlife photography career. Those Arms still work -- they are beat up, sticky with tape from attaching props like sticks or branches, but they work. Now, as we conduct our hummingbird shoots where we have at least six or seven sets going, and often more for remote projects or off-location, portable shoots we do for kangaroo rats, owls, or whatever, well I now carry over 30 Arms of various types, and about 40 Super Clamps to mount them to.
Why more Super Clamps? Sometimes I replace the detachable camera platform (where I mount the flashes) with another Super Clamp so that I have one on either end. One attaches to whatever support I'm using -- a chair, light pole, tripod leg, etc., and the other clamps onto a prop I wish to support -- perhaps a branch or a background panel. If you own several Arms, chances are you'll want to get an extra Super Clamp or two.
Good camera stores should have all of these Bogen products in stock, as will the various catalog stores. I order mine from my favorite store, Allen's Camera (215 - 547-2841), whose prices match and usually beat NY catalog super stores, and the service is always first class.
Our Past Photo Tips of the Month:
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
If you're traveling with a larger group or prefer to have your own space, consider booking a vacation rental. There are several options available near Magic Mountain, ranging from cozy cabins to spacious chalets. Some even offer amenities such as hot tubs and fireplaces, perfect for warming up after a day on the slopes. For a more budget-friendly option, consider staying at one of the many motels in the area. There are several conveniently located motels near Magic Mountain that offer comfortable rooms at affordable rates. While they may not have all the amenities of a larger hotel, they provide a convenient and budget-friendly option for those on a tight budget. In conclusion, there are several great places to stay near Magic Mountain in Vermont. Whether you prefer a cozy lodge, a luxurious resort, a vacation rental, or a budget-friendly motel, you're sure to find the perfect accommodation for your visit..
Reviews for "Farm Stays near Magic Mountain VT for a Charming Experience"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I recently stayed at a place near Magic Mountain VT and I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The house was in a state of disrepair with broken furniture, dirty carpets, and a musty smell throughout. The beds were uncomfortable and the linens were old and stained. The bathroom was dirty and had a leaky faucet. Overall, the place was not well-maintained and it felt like no effort was put into making it a comfortable stay. I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. John - 2 stars - My family and I stayed near Magic Mountain VT for a weekend getaway, and unfortunately, our accommodation fell short of our expectations. The place was advertised as being a cozy cabin, but it was outdated and in need of some serious renovations. The furniture was worn out, the kitchen appliances were old and barely functional, and the heating system was unreliable. Additionally, the cleanliness of the place was subpar, with dust and cobwebs in corners and bathrooms that were not properly cleaned. It's unfortunate because the location was beautiful, but the lack of upkeep and attention to detail made our stay less enjoyable.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to stay near Magic Mountain VT, but my experience was far from pleasant. The place we rented was advertised as having a beautiful view, but when we arrived, there were trees blocking most of it. The interior of the house was outdated and in need of some serious renovation. The carpet was stained and the kitchen appliances were old and barely functional. The beds were uncomfortable and the linens felt old and worn out. Overall, it felt like the owners didn't put much effort into making the place comfortable for guests. I wouldn't recommend staying here unless you're okay with a subpar experience.